Asolo Rep to Host Annual Gala: La Fête de Monte Carlo
on Saturday, March 4 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota;
Guys and Dolls Star Veronica J. Kuehn to Perform
(SARASOTA, February 9, 2017) — Asolo Rep’s Annual Gala: La Fête de Monte Carlo, will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. The largest fundraiser of Asolo Rep’s season, chaired by Ann Charters, Caroline Ellerson, Susan Malloy Jones and Jill Ramsey, will begin at 6pm with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner, paddle raise, live music and dancing. It will celebrate the luxurious Mediterranean destination, Monte Carlo, which became the epitome of jet-set chic in the 1960s and one of the most noteworthy James Bond film locations.
Musical entertainment will feature acclaimed actress Veronica J. Kuehn, who wowed audiences as Miss Adelaide in Asolo Rep’s hit 2016 production of Guys and Dolls and headliner Mark Zauss and his 11-piece orchestra, the 007 Band. Zauss delivers classic sounds from the 50s and 60s and entertains audiences with tributes to the esteemed British invasion music of John Barry and his Bond theme songs. Joey Panek, Senior Producer of ABC 7’s Suncoast View, will emcee the event.
“This year’s event will channel a 1950s and 60s Monte Carlo/James Bond theme – pulling in design elements from famous buildings like the Casino de Monte Carlo and Hotel de Paris, as well as entertainment aspects of the classic 007 movies.” said Laura Stuart Wood, Asolo Rep’s Special Events Manager. “Monte Carlo has so much to offer: the royalty, the Côte d’Azur, the wealth, the cars, etc. so we want to recreate the feeling of being in this luxurious place, as if guests just stepped onto a Bond movie set.”
All Gala proceeds will support the artists in Asolo Rep’s 2016-17 season and the theatre’s award-winning Education & Outreach programs, which help students develop an appreciation for the arts while gaining empathy and insight into the lives of others through experiencing, discussing and creating live theatre.
“My co-chairs Ann Charters, Caroline Ellerson, Jill Ramsey and I have had an absolute blast planning this year’s event as an homage to the iconic character of James Bond and his lavish lifestyle, filled with opulence at every mysterious turn” said Gala Co-Chair Susan Malloy Jones. “Buy a ticket in our raffle for a chance at 007’s Weekend in London or a Bond Girl Spa & Shopping Day at The Met. Or play your hand in the live auction for James Bond’s Virgin Island Getaway or Top Secret European River Cruise. The proceeds from the event allow Asolo Rep to continue its award-winning Education & Outreach programs. The power of this magical gift cannot be underestimated in its effect on our future generations.”
The theatre is also offering a Bond-themed raffle to win one of two items: 007’s London Weekend with tickets to Dreamgirls or The Bond Girl Shopping & Spa Day at The Met – Fashion House, Day Spa & Salon on St. Armands. Raffle tickets are $100 each and will be sold during the gala and before the gala at www.asolorep.org/annualgala. Winners will be selected on the evening of the Gala. Gala attendance is not required to participate in the raffle.
Immediately following the gala, the theatre will once again host a late night after party at Louies Modern from 10:30pm – 1:30am. Tickets are $40 and include a complimentary specialty drink, discounted cash bar, light bites, DJ and entertainment.Tickets for the gala range from $300 – $1,000 and tables range from $3,000 – $10,000. For tickets and information, please contact Asolo Rep Special Events Manager Laura Stuart Wood at 941.351.9010 ext. 4712 or [email protected]. More information and online tickets are also available by visiting http://www.asolorep.org/ANNUALGALA.
ABOUT VERONICA J. KUEHN
VERONICA J. KUEHN* made her Asolo Rep debut as Miss Adelaide in the theatre’s 2016 production of Guys and Dolls. Broadway and National Tour credits include Jovie in ELF: The Musical (Madison Square Garden), Euterpe/Kira u/s in Xanadu (Helen Hayes Theatre) and Ali/Sophie u/s in Mamma Mia! (Winter Garden Theatre). Veronica also starred Off Broadway as Kate Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q and as Monica Lewinsky in Clinton: The Musical, both at New World Stages. She can be heard on Clinton’s Original Cast Recording, and has twice soloed with The Boston Pops at Boston’s Symphony Hall. BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory. Thanks to Henderson Hogan and Tara Rubin Casting. @veronicajkuehn
SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
MEDIA SPONSOR
Sarasota Magazine
GOLD SPONSORS
Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation
BMO Harris Bank
Gary and Elizabeth Butler
Tom and Ann Charters/Jeff and Nikki Sedacca/Bill and Margaret Wise
Larry and Debbie Haspel
JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc.
Stanley Kane
SILVER SPONSORS
Anonymous
Brian and Caroline Ellerson
Herman and Sharon Frankel
Ron and Rita Greenbaum
Karp Family Foundation
Ronald Kendall, in loving memory of Harold Kendall
The Met – Fashion House, Day Spa & Salon
Northern Trust
PNC Wealth Management
BRONZE SPONSORS
Aprio, the new name for HA+W
Bob and Beverly Bartner
Blalock Walters, P.A. and Kerkering Barberio & Co.
Chubb
Pamela Hughes & Hughes Design Associates/Walton and Deborah Beacham
Kurt Hunt, Wells Fargo Private Bank
India Benton Lesser Foundation
Wanda Rayle-Libby and Harold Libby
Sean and Melanie Natarajan/Bender, Bender & Chandler P.A.
Bart Price, MD and Petra Travnicek, MD
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation
Mark and Kim Standish
SunTrust Private Wealth Management
Synovus Bank of Florida
Williams Parker — Attorneys at Law
ULTRA-LUXURY CAR SPONSOR
Dimmitt Automotive Group
GALA AFTER-PARTY SPONSORS
PNC Wealth Management
Modern Events
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